Display panel with touch detection function

ABSTRACT

Provided is a display panel including: a plurality of pixel electrodes divided into a plurality of groups; and a plurality of common electrodes arranged at a ratio of one to a plurality of pixel electrodes included in one of the plurality of groups. Each of a plurality of sensor electrode lines overlaps with corresponding one of a plurality of data signal lines in plan view. The plurality of sensor electrode lines and each of the plurality of common electrodes overlap each other in plan view. The each of the plurality of common electrodes is electrically connected to the plurality of sensor electrode lines. At least one insulating film is formed between each of a region between the data signal lines and the sensor electrode lines, a region between the sensor electrode lines and the common electrodes, and a region between the common electrodes and the pixel electrodes.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/393,970 filed on Apr. 25, 2019 which is claimingbenefit of Ser. No. 15/878,416 filed on Jan. 24, 2018, which is claimingbenefit of Ser. No. 14/681,115 filed on Apr. 8, 2015 which is claimingbenefit of Provisional U.S. Application No. 62/121,515 filed on Feb. 27,2015. The contents of each of the above documents are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to a display panel with touch detectionfunction.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hitherto, various display devices with touch panels have been proposed.In recent years, in order to reduce the thickness of the entire displaydevice, there has been proposed a so-called in-cell display device withtouch detection function, which incorporates a function of a touch panelinside a display panel. The above-mentioned display device is disclosedin, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,766,950. Further, in theabove-mentioned publication, there is disclosed an in-plane switching(IPS) display panel that is excellent in wide viewing anglecharacteristics.

SUMMARY

However, in the technology disclosed in the above-mentioned publication,the following two problems mainly arise. The first problem resides inthat a pixel aperture ratio is reduced. FIG. 29 is a plan view of adisplay panel disclosed in the above-mentioned publication. Asillustrated in FIG. 29, when a sensor electrode line 706 is formedadjacent to a source line 704, the sensor electrode line 706 is arrangedin a pixel aperture region. In this case, the pixel aperture ratio isreduced, and the display quality is remarkably reduced. The secondproblem resides in that the detection accuracy of the touch position isreduced. When the sensor electrode line 706 is formed close to a gateline 702, a parasitic capacitance formed between the sensor electrodeline 706 and the gate line 702 is increased. In this case, due to theinfluence of the above-mentioned parasitic capacitance, the detectionaccuracy of the touch position is remarkably reduced.

The present application has been made in view of the above-mentionedproblems, and has an object to provide a display panel with touchdetection function, which is high in pixel aperture ratio and excellentin detection accuracy of the touch position.

In order to solve the problems described above, according to oneembodiment of the present application, there is provided a displaypanel, including: a plurality of gate signal lines extending in a firstdirection; a plurality of data signal lines and a plurality of sensorelectrode lines, which extend in a second direction different from thefirst direction; a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged so as torespectively correspond to a plurality of pixels arrayed in the firstdirection and the second direction, the plurality of pixel electrodesbeing divided into a plurality of groups; and a plurality of commonelectrodes arranged at a ratio of one to a plurality of pixel electrodesincluded in one of the plurality of groups, in which: each of theplurality of sensor electrode lines overlaps with corresponding one ofthe plurality of data signal lines in plan view; at least two of theplurality of sensor electrode lines and each of the plurality of commonelectrodes overlap each other in plan view, and the each of theplurality of common electrodes is electrically connected to at least oneof the at least two of the plurality of sensor electrode linesoverlapping with the each of the plurality of common electrodes; and atleast one insulating film is formed between each of a region between theplurality of data signal lines and the plurality of sensor electrodelines, a region between the plurality of sensor electrode lines and theplurality of common electrodes, and a region between the plurality ofcommon electrodes and the plurality of pixel electrodes.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, the plurality of common electrodes may be arrayed at equalintervals in the first direction and the second direction.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, the each of the plurality of common electrodes may beelectrically connected to at least one of the plurality of sensorelectrode lines via a through hole formed through the at least oneinsulating film formed in the region between the plurality of sensorelectrode lines and the plurality of common electrodes.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, the plurality of data signal lines may be formed on a firstinsulating film formed so as to cover the plurality of gate signallines. A second insulating film may be formed between the plurality ofdata signal lines and the plurality of sensor electrode lines so as tocover the plurality of data signal lines. A third insulating film may beformed on the second insulating film. The plurality of common electrodesmay be formed on the third insulating film. A fourth insulating film maybe formed between the plurality of sensor electrode lines and theplurality of common electrodes so as to cover the plurality of commonelectrodes. The plurality of sensor electrode lines may be formed on thefourth insulating film. A fifth insulating film may be formed betweenthe plurality of common electrodes and the plurality of pixel electrodesso as to cover the plurality of sensor electrode lines. The plurality ofpixel electrodes may be formed on the fifth insulating film. The fourthinsulating film may have a through hole formed in a part thereof so asto electrically connect the each of the plurality of sensor electrodelines and corresponding one of the plurality of common electrodes toeach other.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, the plurality of data signal lines may be formed on a firstinsulating film formed so as to cover the plurality of gate signallines. A second insulating film may be formed between the plurality ofdata signal lines and the plurality of sensor electrode lines so as tocover the plurality of data signal lines. A third insulating film may beformed on the second insulating film. The plurality of sensor electrodelines may be formed on the third insulating film. A fourth insulatingfilm may be formed between the plurality of sensor electrode lines andthe plurality of common electrodes so as to cover the plurality ofsensor electrode lines. The plurality of common electrodes may be formedon the fourth insulating film. A fifth insulating film may be formedbetween the plurality of common electrodes and the plurality of pixelelectrodes so as to cover the plurality of common electrodes. Theplurality of pixel electrodes may be formed on the fifth insulatingfilm. The fourth insulating film may have a through hole formed in apart thereof so as to electrically connect the each of the plurality ofsensor electrode lines and corresponding one of the plurality of commonelectrodes to each other.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, an adhesion layer may be formed between the thirdinsulating film and the each of the plurality of sensor electrode lines.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, the plurality of data signal lines and the plurality ofpixel electrodes may be formed on a first insulating film formed so asto cover the plurality of gate signal lines. A second insulating filmmay be formed between the plurality of data signal lines and theplurality of sensor electrode lines so as to cover the plurality of datasignal lines and the plurality of pixel electrodes. The plurality ofsensor electrode lines may be formed on the second insulating film. Athird insulating film may be formed between the plurality of sensorelectrode lines and the plurality of common electrodes so as to coverthe plurality of sensor electrode lines. The plurality of commonelectrodes may be formed on the third insulating film. The thirdinsulating film may have a through hole formed in a part thereof so asto electrically connect the each of the plurality of sensor electrodelines and corresponding one of the plurality of common electrodes toeach other.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, an adhesion layer may be formed between the secondinsulating film and the each of the plurality of sensor electrode lines.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, the plurality of data signal lines and the plurality ofpixel electrodes may be formed on a first insulating film formed so asto cover the plurality of gate signal lines. A second insulating filmmay be formed between the plurality of data signal lines and theplurality of sensor electrode lines so as to cover the plurality of datasignal lines and the plurality of pixel electrodes. The plurality ofcommon electrodes may be formed on the second insulating film. A thirdinsulating film may be formed between the plurality of sensor electrodelines and the plurality of common electrodes so as to cover theplurality of common electrodes. The plurality of sensor electrode linesmay be formed on the third insulating film. The third insulating filmmay have a through hole formed in a part thereof so as to electricallyconnect the each of the plurality of sensor electrode lines andcorresponding one of the plurality of common electrodes to each other.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, the at least one insulating film may be made of an organicmaterial.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, shielding wiring may be arranged so as to cover a gapbetween adjacent two of the plurality of common electrodes in plan view.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, the plurality of common electrodes may be arranged so thata gap between adjacent two of the plurality of common electrodesoverlaps with a gap between adjacent pixels in plan view.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, the plurality of common electrodes may be arranged so thata gap between adjacent two of the plurality of common electrodes ispositioned close to a center of a pixel region in plan view.

In the display panel according to one embodiment of the presentapplication, a number of the sensor electrode lines to be electricallyconnected to corresponding one of the plurality of common electrodes,which is arranged on a side closer to a first drive circuit foroutputting a sensor voltage, may be smaller than a number of the sensorelectrode lines to be electrically connected to corresponding one of theplurality of common electrodes, which is arranged on a side farther fromthe first drive circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view for illustrating a schematic configuration of aliquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 2 is a plan view for illustrating details of a configurationexample of a display panel according to the embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for illustrating a configuration example of acommon/sensor driver.

FIG. 4 is an A-A′ sectional view of a display panel of a firstembodiment.

FIG. 5 is an A-A′ sectional view of a display panel of a secondembodiment.

FIG. 6 is an A-A′ sectional view of a display panel of a thirdembodiment.

FIG. 7 is an A-A′ sectional view of a display panel of a fourthembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view for illustrating a configuration of commonelectrodes of a display panel of each of fifth to eighth embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a B-B′ sectional view of a display panel of a fifthembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a B-B′ sectional view of a display panel of a sixthembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a B-B′ sectional view of a display panel of a seventhembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a B-B′ sectional view of a display panel of an eighthembodiment.

FIG. 13 is an A-A′ sectional view of a display panel of a ninthembodiment.

FIG. 14 is an A-A′ sectional view of a display panel of a tenthembodiment.

FIG. 15 is an A-A′ sectional view of a display panel of an eleventhembodiment.

FIG. 16 is an A-A′ sectional view of a display panel of a twelfthembodiment.

FIG. 17 is a plan view for illustrating a configuration of a displaypanel of each of thirteenth to sixteenth embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a C-C′ sectional view of a display panel of a thirteenthembodiment.

FIG. 19 is a C-C′ sectional view of a display panel of a fourteenthembodiment.

FIG. 20 is a C-C′ sectional view of a display panel of a fifteenthembodiment.

FIG. 21 is a C-C′ sectional view of a display panel of a sixteenthembodiment.

FIG. 22 is a plan view for illustrating a configuration of a displaypanel.

FIG. 23 is a plan view for illustrating a configuration of a displaypanel.

FIG. 24 is a plan view for illustrating a configuration of a displaypanel.

FIG. 25 is a plan view for illustrating a configuration of a displaypanel.

FIG. 26 is a plan view for illustrating a configuration of a displaypanel.

FIG. 27 is a plan view for illustrating a configuration of a displaypanel.

FIG. 28 is a plan view for illustrating a configuration of a displaypanel.

FIG. 29 is a plan view for illustrating a configuration of a related-artdisplay panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present, application is described below withreference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view forillustrating a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal displaydevice according to this embodiment. A liquid crystal display device 100includes a display panel 10, a first drive circuit 20, a second drivecircuit 30, a control circuit 40, a power supply section (not shown),and a backlight unit (not shown). The first drive circuit 20 and thesecond drive circuit 30 may be included in the display panel 10.

The display panel 10 includes a plurality of data signal lines 11extending in a column direction, a plurality of sensor electrode lines12 extending in the column direction, and a plurality of gate signallines 13 extending in a row direction. The plurality of data signallines 11 are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the rowdirection, the plurality of sensor electrode lines 12 are arranged atsubstantially equal intervals in the row direction, and the plurality ofgate signal lines 13 are arranged at substantially equal intervals inthe column direction. The respective sensor electrode lines 12 arearranged so as to overlap with the respective data signal lines 11 inplan view. In each intersecting portion between each data signal line 11and each gate signal line 13, a thin film transistor 14 (TFT) is formed.

The first drive circuit 20 includes a source driver 21 for outputting adata signal (display voltage) to each of the data signal lines 11, and acommon/sensor driver 22 for outputting a common voltage Vcom and asensor voltage to each of the sensor electrode lines 12. The sourcedriver 21 and the common/sensor driver 22 may be formed of a singleintegrated circuit (IC), or may be formed of two ICs independent of eachother. The second drive circuit 30 includes a gate driver 31 foroutputting a gate signal (scanning signal) to each of the gate signallines 13.

In the display panel 10, a plurality of pixels 15 are arranged in matrix(in row direction and column direction) to correspond to eachintersecting portion between each data signal line 11 and each gatesignal line 13. Although the details are described later, the displaypanel 10 includes a thin film transistor substrate (TFT substrate), acolor filter substrate (CF substrate), and a liquid crystal layersandwiched between both the substrates. In the TFT substrate, pixelelectrodes 16 are arranged to correspond to respective pixels 15.Further, the TFT substrate includes common electrodes 17 arranged at aratio of one to a plurality of pixels 15. Each common electrode 17 has afunction as an electrode for displaying an image, and a function as anelectrode for detecting a touch position (sensor electrode). That is,the display panel 10 has an image display function and a touch detectionfunction.

FIG. 2 is a plan view for illustrating details of a configurationexample of the display panel 10. In FIG. 2, for the sake of easyunderstanding of the description, the source driver 21 and the datasignal lines 11, which overlap with the sensor electrode lines 12 inplan view, are omitted. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, theplurality of common electrodes 17 are arranged at a ratio of one to atotal of sixteen pixels 15 including four pixels 15 in the columndirection and four pixels 15 in the row direction. The plurality ofcommon electrodes 17 each have the substantially same shape, and arearrayed regularly. The sensor electrode lines 12 are arranged in the TFTsubstrate so as to overlap with the respective data signal lines 11 (notshown) in plan view. In plan view, each of the common electrodes 17overlaps with a plurality of sensor electrode lines 12, and iselectrically connected to one of the plurality of sensor electrode lines12 via a through hole 18. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, acommon electrode 17 a overlaps with three sensor electrode lines 12 a,12 b, and 12 c, and is electrically connected to one sensor electrodeline 12 a among those sensor electrode lines via a through hole 18 a.Further, a common electrode 17 b overlaps with the three sensorelectrode lines 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c, and is electrically connected toone sensor electrode line 12 b among those sensor electrode lines via athrough hole 18 b.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for illustrating a configuration example ofthe common/sensor driver 22. The common/sensor driver 22 includes acommon voltage generating section 221, a sensor voltage generatingsection 222, a timing control section 223, a monitor section 224, and aposition detecting section 225. The configuration of the common/sensordriver 22 is not limited thereto, and a well-known configuration can beadopted.

The common voltage generating section 221 generates the common voltageVcom (reference voltage) for image display. The common/sensor driver 22supplies the above-mentioned generated common voltage to the commonelectrode 17 via the sensor electrode line 12 during a writing periodfor supplying a data signal (display voltage) to the pixel electrode 16.The sensor voltage generating section 222 generates the sensor voltagefor detecting the touch position. The common/sensor driver 22 suppliesthe above-mentioned generated sensor voltage to the common electrode 17via the sensor electrode line 12 during a non-writing period after theabove-mentioned writing period. The timing control section 223 controlstiming for the common/sensor driver 22 to output the above-mentionedcommon voltage and the above-mentioned sensor voltage based on a timingsignal (horizontal synchronization signal and vertical synchronizationsignal) received from the control circuit 40. The monitor section 224monitors (measures) a current (charge) when the sensor voltage issupplied to the common electrode 17. The position detecting section 225detects the coordinates of the touch position based on the measurementresult of the monitor section 224. Note that, in FIG. 3, the positiondetecting section 225 is included in the common/sensor driver 22, butmay be included in the control circuit 40.

An example of a method of detecting the touch position is described. Theliquid crystal display device 100 detects the touch position by means ofa self-capacitance method of a capacitive system. Specifically, when afinger approaches the surface of the display panel 10, a capacitance isgenerated between the common electrode (sensor electrode) and thefinger. When the capacitance is generated, a parasitic capacitance atthe common electrode is increased, and a current (charge) is increasedwhen the sensor voltage is supplied to the common electrode 17. Thecommon/sensor driver 22 detects the position (coordinates) of thecontact (touch) to the display panel based on the variation amount ofthis current (charge). Note that, a well-known method may be applied tothe method of detecting the touch position by the self-capacitancemethod. For example, as in U.S. Pat. No. 8,766,950, the touch positionmay be detected during a non-display period.

Next, a sectional structure of the display panel 10 is described.Various sectional structures may be applied to the display panel 10.Description of configurations common to respective embodiments describedbelow is omitted as appropriate. First to fourth embodiments each have astructure in which the common electrode 17 (sensor electrode) isarranged in a lower layer (back surface side), and the pixel electrode16 is arranged in an upper layer (display surface side). Fifth to eighthembodiments each have a structure in which the pixel electrode 16 isarranged in a lower layer (back surface side), and the common electrode17 (sensor electrode) is arranged in an upper layer (display surfaceside).

First Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2 in thedisplay panel 10 of the first embodiment. The display panel 10 includesa TFT substrate 200, a color filter (CF) substrate 300, and a liquidcrystal layer 400 sandwiched between both the substrates.

In the TFT substrate 200, the plurality of gate signal lines 13 (notshown) are formed on a glass substrate 201, a first insulating film 202is formed so as to cover the plurality of gate signal lines 13, theplurality of data signal lines 11 are formed on the first insulatingfilm 202, a second insulating film 203 is formed so as to cover theplurality of data signal lines 11, and a third insulating film 204 isformed on the second insulating film 203. The third insulating film 204is made of, for example, a photosensitive organic material containingacrylic as a main component. The plurality of common electrodes 17(sensor electrodes) are formed on the third insulating film 204, afourth insulating film 205 is formed so as to cover the plurality ofcommon electrodes 17, and the through hole 18 is formed through a partof the fourth insulating film 205. The fourth insulating film 205 isarranged between adjacent common electrodes 17, and hence the adjacentcommon electrodes 17 are not electrically connected to each other. Theplurality of sensor electrode lines 12 are formed on the fourthinsulating film 205 and inside the through hole 18, a fifth insulatingfilm 206 is formed so as to cover the plurality of sensor electrodelines 12, and the plurality of pixel electrodes 16 are formed on thefifth insulating film 206. The sensor electrode line 12 is formed at aposition at which the sensor electrode line 12 overlaps with the datasignal line 11 in plan view. The sensor electrode line 12 iselectrically connected to the common electrode 17 via the through hole18. The fourth insulating film 205 is arranged between the sensorelectrode line 12 and the common electrode 17, and hence the sensorelectrode line 12 is not electrically connected to the common electrodes17 other than the common electrode 17 electrically connected to thesensor electrode line 12 via the through hole 18. The pixel electrode 16has slits formed therein. Note that, although not shown, an alignmentfilm is formed on the pixel electrodes 16, and a polarising plate isformed on the outer side of the glass substrate 201. A liquid crystalcapacitance Clc is formed between the pixel electrode 16 and the commonelectrode 17.

In the CF substrate 300, a black matrix 302 is formed on a glasssubstrate 301. Although not shown, a color filter is formed on the glasssubstrate 301, an overcoat film is formed so as to cover the colorfilter, and an alignment film is formed on the overcoat film. Apolarizing plate is formed on the outer side of the CF substrate 300.

The liquid crystal display device 100 applies an electric fieldgenerated between the pixel electrode 16 and the common electrode 17 tothe liquid crystal layer 400 to drive the liquid crystal, therebyadjusting the amount of light passing through the liquid crystal layer400 to display an image. With the above-mentioned configuration, thesensor electrode line 12 is arranged at a position at which the sensorelectrode line 12 overlaps with the data signal line 11, that is,outside a pixel aperture region. Therefore, as compared to therelated-art configuration (FIG. 29), the pixel aperture ratio can beincreased. Further, the thick third insulating film 204 (organicinsulating film) is interposed between the sensor electrode line 12 andthe gate signal line 13, and hence the distance between the sensorelectrode line 12 and the gate signal line 13 is increased. Therefore,as compared to the related-art configuration (FIG. 29), a parasiticcapacitance to be formed between the sensor electrode line 12 and thegate signal line 13 can be decreased, and hence the detection accuracyof the touch position can be improved. Further, the common electrode 17is formed on the third insulating film 204 (organic insulating film),and hence the common electrode 17 can be easily formed, thereby beingcapable of simplifying the manufacturing process.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2 in adisplay panel 10 of the second embodiment.

In the TFT substrate 200, the plurality of gate signal lines 13 (notshown) are formed on the glass substrate 201, the first insulating film202 is formed so as to cover the plurality of gate signal lines 13, theplurality of data signal lines 11 are formed on the first insulatingfilm 202, the second insulating film 203 is formed so as to cover theplurality of data signal lines 11, and the third insulating film 204(organic insulating film) is formed on the second insulating film 203.The plurality of sensor electrode lines 12 are formed on the thirdinsulating film 204, the fourth insulating film 205 is formed so as tocover the plurality of sensor electrode lines 12, and the through hole18 is formed through a part of the fourth insulating film 205. Thesensor electrode line 12 is formed at a position at which the sensorelectrode line 12 overlaps with the data signal line 11 in plan view.The plurality of common electrodes 17 (sensor electrodes) are formed onthe fourth insulating film 205 and inside the through hole 18, the fifthinsulating film 206 is formed so as to cover the plurality of commonelectrodes 17, and the plurality of pixel electrodes 16 are formed onthe fifth insulating film 206. The common electrode 17 is electricallyconnected to the sensor electrode line 12 via the through hole 18.

With the above-mentioned configuration, a distance h1 between the pixelelectrode 16 and the common electrode 17 can be decreased, and thus theliquid crystal capacitance Clc to be formed between the pixel electrode16 and the conation electrode 17 can be increased. Therefore, thedisplay quality can be improved. Further, a distance h2 between thesensor electrode line 12 and the common electrode 17 (sensor electrode)can be increased, and hence a parasitic capacitance to be formed betweenthe sensor electrode line 12 and the common electrode 17 can bedecreased. The above-mentioned parasitic capacitance refers to acapacitance formed due to the structure between the common electrode 17and the sensor electrode line 12 passing along the common electrode 17.For example, in FIG. 2, when the common electrode 17 b is focused on,the above-mentioned parasitic capacitance refers to a parasiticcapacitance formed between the common electrode 17 b and each of thesensor electrode lines 12 a and 12 c. This parasitic capacitance isincreased as the distance h2 between the common electrode 17 b and eachof the sensor electrode lines 12 a and 12 c is decreased, and isdecreased as the distance h2 is increased. With the configuration of thesecond embodiment, the distance h2 can be increased, and hence theparasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode line 12 and thecommon electrode 17 can be decreased. Therefore, the detection accuracyof the touch position can be improved.

Further, with the above-mentioned configuration, the common electrode 17(sensor electrode) is arranged close to the front surface (touchsurface) of the display panel 10, and hence the detection accuracy ofthe touch position can be further improved.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2 in adisplay panel 10 of the third embodiment. The display panel 10 of thethird embodiment is formed as follows. In the display panel 10 of thesecond embodiment, a plurality of adhesion layers 207 a are formed onthe third insulating film 204, and the sensor electrode lines 12 areformed on the respective adhesion layers 207 a. The adhesion layer 207 aand the sensor electrode line 12 are formed at a position at which theadhesion layer 207 a and the sensor electrode line 12 overlap with thedata signal line 11 in plan view. The adhesion layer 207 a is made of,for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), which is a transparent conductivematerial.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the above-mentioned effects inthe display panel 10 of the second embodiment can be obtained, and it ispossible to prevent film removal of the sensor electrode line 12 fromthe third insulating film 204.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2 in adisplay panel 10 of the fourth embodiment.

In the TFT substrate 200, the plurality of gate signal lines 13 (notshown) are formed on the glass substrate 201, the first insulating film202 is formed so as to cover the plurality of gate signal lines 13, theplurality of data signal lines 11 are formed on the first insulatingfilm 202, the second insulating film 203 is formed so as to cover theplurality of data signal lines 11, and the third insulating film 204(organic insulating film) is formed on the second insulating film 203.The plurality of common electrodes 17 (sensor electrodes) are formed onthe third insulating film 204, the fourth insulating film 205 is formedso as to cover the plurality of common electrodes 17, and the throughhole 18 is formed through a part of the fourth insulating film 205. Aplurality of conductive films 207 b are formed on the fourth insulatingfilm 205 and inside the through hole 18. Further, the plurality of pixelelectrodes 16 are formed on the fourth insulating film 205. The sensorelectrode lines 12 are formed on the respective conductive films 207 b,and the fifth insulating film 206 is formed so as to cover the sensorelectrode lines 12 and the pixel electrodes 16. The conductive film 207b and the sensor electrode line 12 are formed at a position at which theconductive film 207 b and the sensor electrode line 12 overlap with thedata signal line 11 in plan view. The sensor electrode line 12 isdirectly electrically connected to the conductive film 207 b, and theconductive film 207 b is electrically connected to the common electrode17 via the through hole 18. With this, the sensor electrode line 12 iselectrically connected to the common electrode 17.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the above-mentioned effects inthe display panel 10 of the second embodiment can be obtained, and it ispossible to prevent film removal of the sensor electrode line 12 fromthe fourth insulating film 205. In addition, the conductive film 207 bcan be formed in the same process as the pixel electrode 16, and hencethe manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

The display panel 10 of each of the fifth to eighth embodimentsdescribed below has a structure in which the pixel electrode 16 isarranged in a lower layer and the common electrode 17 (sensor electrode)is arranged in an upper layer.

FIG. 8 is a plan view for illustrating the configuration of the commonelectrodes 17 in the display panel 10 of each of the fifth to eighthembodiments. The common electrodes 17 are arranged at a ratio of one tosixteen pixels 15. Slits 17 s are formed in a pixel aperture region ofeach of the common electrodes 17. The number of the slits 17 s formed ina single pixel aperture region is not limited.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 2 in adisplay panel 10 of the fifth embodiment. Note that, in FIG. 2, theslits 17 s are omitted.

In the TFT substrate 200, the plurality of gate signal lines 13 (notshown) are formed on the glass substrate 201, the first insulating film202 is formed so as to cover the plurality of gate signal lines 13, theplurality of data signal lines 11 and the plurality of pixel electrodes16 are formed on the first insulating film 202, and the secondinsulating film 203 is formed so as to cover the plurality of datasignal lines 11 and the plurality of pixel electrodes 16. The pluralityof sensor electrode lines 12 are formed on the second insulating film203, the third insulating film 204 is formed so as to cover theplurality of sensor electrode lines 12, and the through hole 18 isformed through a part of the third insulating film 204. The sensorelectrode line 12 is formed at a position at which the sensor electrodeline 12 overlaps with the data signal line 11 in plan view. The commonelectrodes 17 (sensor electrodes) are formed on the third insulatingfilm 204 and inside the through hole 18. The common electrode 17 iselectrically connected to the sensor electrode line 12 via the throughhole 18. Note that, although not shown, an alignment film is formed onthe common electrode 17, and a polarizing plate is formed on the outerside of the glass substrate 201. A liquid crystal capacitance Clc isformed between the pixel electrode 16 and the common electrode 17.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the sensor electrode line 12 isarranged at a position at which the sensor electrode line 12 overlapswith the data signal line 11, that is, outside the pixel apertureregion. Therefore, as compared to the related-art configuration (FIG.29), the pixel aperture ratio can be increased. Further, the commonelectrode 17 (sensor electrode) is arranged close to the front surface(touch surface) of the display panel 10, and hence the detectionaccuracy of the touch position can be improved. Further, the pixelelectrode 16 is formed in the same layer as the data signal line 11, andhence the manufacturing process can be simplified.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 2 in adisplay panel 10 of the sixth embodiment. The display panel 10 of thesixth embodiment is formed as follows. In the display panel 10 of thefifth embodiment (see FIG. 9), the plurality of adhesion layers 207 aare formed on the second insulating film 203, and the sensor electrodelines 12 are formed on the respective adhesion layers 207 a. Theadhesion layer 207 a and the sensor electrode line 12 are formed at aposition at which the adhesion layer 207 a and the sensor electrode line12 overlap with the data signal line 11 in plan view. The adhesion layer207 a is made of, for example, ITO. With the above-mentionedconfiguration, the above-mentioned effects in the display panel 10 ofthe fifth embodiment can be obtained, and the film removal of the sensorelectrode line 12 can be prevented.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 2 in adisplay panel 10 of the seventh embodiment.

In the TFT substrate 200, the plurality of gate signal lines 13 (notshown) are formed on the glass substrate 201, the first insulating film202 is formed so as to cover the plurality of gate signal lines 13, theplurality of data signal lines 11 and the plurality of pixel electrodes16 are formed on the first insulating film 202, and the secondinsulating film 203 is formed so as to cover the plurality of datasignal lines 11 and the plurality of pixel electrodes 16. The pluralityof common electrodes 17 (sensor electrodes) are formed on the secondinsulating film 203, the third insulating film 204 is formed so as tocover the plurality of common electrodes 17, and the through hole 18 isformed through a part of the third insulating film 204. The plurality ofsensor electrode lines 12 are formed on the third insulating film 204and inside the through hole 18. The sensor electrode line 12 is formedat a position at which the sensor electrode line 12 overlaps with thedata signal line 11 in plan view. The sensor electrode line 12 iselectrically connected to the common electrode 17 via the through hole18.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the distance h1 between thepixel electrode 16 and the common electrode 17 can be decreased, andhence the liquid crystal capacitance Clc to be formed between the pixelelectrode 16 and the common electrode 17 can be increased. Therefore,the display quality can be improved. Further, the distance h2 betweenthe sensor electrode line 12 and the common electrode 17 (sensorelectrode) can be increased, and hence the parasitic capacitance to beformed between the sensor electrode line 12 and the common electrode 17can be decreased. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the touchposition can be improved. Further, the distance between the sensorelectrode line 12 and the gate signal line 13 can be increased, andhence the parasitic capacitance to be formed between the sensorelectrode line 12 and the gate signal line 13 can be decreased.Therefore, the detection accuracy of the touch position can be improved.Further, the pixel electrode 16 is formed in the same layer as the datasignal line 11, and hence the manufacturing process can be simplified.

Eighth Embodiment

FIG. 12 in a sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 2 in adisplay panel 10 of the eighth embodiment. The display panel 10 of theeighth embodiment is formed as follows. In the display panel 10 of theseventh embodiment, (see FIG. 11), the third insulating film 204 ischanged into a third insulating film 208 (organic insulating film) madeof an organic material. Further, the third insulating film 208 isselectively formed (patterned) so as to be arranged only under eachsensor electrode line 12. With the above-mentioned configuration, theabove-mentioned effects in the display panel 10 of the seventhembodiment can be obtained, and it is possible to prevent reduction inintensity of an electric field to be applied to the liquid crystal layer400. Therefore, the display quality can be improved.

The display panel 10 of each of the above-mentioned first to fourthembodiments may include shielding wiring for preventing electric fieldleakage from a gap between adjacent common electrodes 17. The displaypanel 10 of each of ninth to twelfth embodiments described belowincludes the above-mentioned shielding wiring in the display panel 10 ofeach of the first to fourth embodiments.

Ninth Embodiment

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2 in adisplay panel 10 of the ninth embodiment. The display panel 10 of theninth embodiment is formed as follows. In the display panel 10 of thefirst embodiment (see FIG. 4), shielding wiring 209 is arranged so as tocover the gap between the adjacent common electrodes 17 (sensorelectrodes) in plan view. With the above-mentioned configuration, it ispossible to prevent the leakage electric field from the data signal line11 from reaching the liquid crystal layer 400 through the gap betweenthe adjacent common electrodes 17. Therefore, it is possible to preventreduction in display quality due to image disturbance caused by theleakage electric field.

Tenth Embodiment

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2 in adisplay panel 10 of the tenth embodiment. The display panel 10 of thetenth embodiment is formed as follows. In the display panel 10 of thesecond embodiment (see FIG. 5), the shielding wiring 209 is arranged soas to cover the gap between the adjacent common electrodes 17 (sensorelectrodes). With the above-mentioned configuration, similarly to thedisplay panel 10 of the ninth embodiment, it is possible to preventreduction in display quality due to image disturbance caused by theleakage electric field.

Eleventh Embodiment

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2 in adisplay panel 10 of the eleventh embodiment. The display panel 10 of theeleventh embodiment is formed as follows. In the display panel 10 of thethird embodiment (see FIG. 6), the shielding wiring 209 is arranged soas to cover the gap between the adjacent common electrodes 17 (sensorelectrodes). With the above-mentioned configuration, similarly to thedisplay panel 10 of the ninth embodiment, it is possible to preventreduction in display quality due to image disturbance caused by theleakage electric field.

Twelfth Embodiment

FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of FIG. 2 in adisplay panel 10 of the twelfth embodiment. The display panel 10 of thetwelfth embodiment is formed as follows. In the display panel 10 of thefourth embodiment (see FIG. 7), the shielding wiring 209 is arranged soas to cover the gap between the adjacent common electrodes 17 (sensorelectrodes). With the above-mentioned configuration, similarly to thedisplay panel 10 of the ninth embodiment, it is possible to preventreduction in display quality due to image disturbance caused by theleakage electric field.

In the above-mentioned display panel 10 of each of the first to fourthembodiments, the plurality of common electrodes 17 are arranged so thatthe gap between the adjacent common electrodes 17 overlaps with the gapbetween adjacent pixels in plan view. However, in the display panel 10according to this embodiment, the arrangement of the common electrodes17 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration (arrangement).For example, the plurality of common electrodes 17 may be arranged sothat the gap between the adjacent common electrodes 17 is positioned inthe vicinity of the center of the pixel region (or in the pixel apertureregion). The display panel 10 of each of thirteenth to sixteenthembodiments described below has the above-mentioned configuration(arrangement). FIG. 17 is a plan view for illustrating a configurationcommon to the display panels 10 of the thirteenth to sixteenthembodiments.

Thirteenth Embodiment

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of FIG. 17 in adisplay panel 10 of the thirteenth embodiment. The display panel 10 ofthe thirteenth embodiment is formed as follows. In the display panel 10of the first embodiment (see FIG. 4), the plurality of common electrodes17 are arranged so that the gap between the adjacent common electrodes17 is positioned in the pixel aperture region in plan view. With theabove-mentioned configuration, the leakage electric field from the datasignal line 11 can be blocked by the common electrode 17. Therefore, itis possible to prevent reduction in display quality due to imagedisturbance caused by the leakage electric field.

Fourteenth Embodiment

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of FIG. 17 in adisplay panel 10 of the fourteenth embodiment. The display panel 10 ofthe fourteenth embodiment is formed as follows. In the display panel 10of the second embodiment (see FIG. 5), the plurality of commonelectrodes 17 are arranged so that the gap between the adjacent commonelectrodes 17 is positioned in the pixel aperture region in plan view.With the above-mentioned configuration, similarly to the display panel10 of the thirteenth embodiment, it is possible to prevent reduction indisplay quality due to image disturbance caused by the leakage electricfield.

Fifteenth Embodiment

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of FIG. 17 in adisplay panel 10 of the fifteenth embodiment. The display panel 10 ofthe fifteenth embodiment is formed as follows. In the display panel 10of the third embodiment (see FIG. 6), the plurality of common electrodes17 are arranged so that the gap between the adjacent common electrodes17 is positioned in the pixel aperture region in plan view. With theabove-mentioned configuration, similarly to the display panel 10 of thethirteenth embodiment, it is possible to prevent reduction in displayquality due to image disturbance caused by the leakage electric field.

Sixteenth Embodiment

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of FIG. 17 in adisplay panel 10 of the sixteenth embodiment. The display panel 10 ofthe sixteenth embodiment is formed as follows. In the display panel 10of the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 7), the plurality of commonelectrodes 17 are arranged so that the gap between the adjacent commonelectrodes 17 is positioned in the pixel aperture region in plan view.With the above-mentioned configuration, similarly to the display panel10 of the thirteenth embodiment, it is possible to prevent reduction indisplay quality due to image disturbance caused by the leakage electricfield.

In the above-mentioned display panel 10 of each of the first tosixteenth embodiments, each common electrode 17 (sensor electrode) iselectrically connected to a single sensor electrode line 12. However,the number of sensor electrode lines 12 to be electrically connected tothe common electrode 17 is not limited. For example, each commonelectrode 17 (sensor electrode) may be electrically connected to two ormore sensor electrode lines 12. FIGS. 22 to 24 are plan views forillustrating configurations common to the display panels 10 of the firstto sixteenth embodiments. In the configuration of FIG. 22, each commonelectrode 17 is electrically connected to two sensor electrode lines 12.Therefore, as compared to the case where each common electrode 17 iselectrically connected to a single sensor electrode line 12, powerfeeding performance to each common electrode 17 can be improved. In theconfiguration of FIG. 23, the number of sensor electrode lines 12 to beelectrically connected to the common electrode 17 arranged on a sidecloser to the common/sensor driver 22 is smaller than the number ofsensor electrode lines 12 to be electrically connected to the commonelectrode 17 arranged on a side farther from the common/sensor driver22. Therefore, the wiring resistance of the common electrode 17 closerto the common/sensor driver 22 can be equalized with the wiringresistance of the common electrode 17 farther from the common/sensordriver 22. In the configuration of FIG. 24, the connection pointsbetween the common electrode 17 and the sensor electrode lines 12 arearranged in a dispersed manner in a region in which the common electrode17 is formed. Therefore, the voltage distribution in a single commonelectrode 17 can be equalized in plan view.

As illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24, when the number of sensor electrodelines 12 to be electrically connected to a single common electrode 17 isincreased in accordance with the distance from the common/sensor driver22, the wiring resistance can be equalized among the respective commonelectrodes 17. Therefore, the length of the sensor electrode line 12 maydiffer in accordance with the place of the common electrode 17.Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26, the length of thesensor electrode line 12 may be set to a length up to the connectionpoint between the sensor electrode line 12 and the common electrode 17.Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28, each sensor electrode line12 may have a slit formed within a range from the connection pointbetween the sensor electrode line 12 and the common electrode 17 to theterminal end of the sensor electrode line 12, so as to be electricallydisconnected. Further, in the configurations illustrated in FIGS. 27 and28, the terminal ends of the respective sensor electrode lines 12 may beconnected to each other, and may be supplied with a predeterminedvoltage (for example, Vcom). With this, the potential of the wiring in afloating state can be fixed. Further, with the configurations of FIGS.22 to 28, the display quality and the accuracy of the detection functionof the touch position can be improved.

While there have been described what are at present considered to becertain embodiments of the application, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made thereto, and it is intended that theappended claims cover all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal display panel comprising: aglass substrate; a plurality of gate signal lines extending in a firstdirection and formed on the glass substrate; a plurality of data signallines and a plurality of sensor electrode lines, which extend in asecond direction different from the first direction; a plurality ofpixel electrodes arranged in the first direction and the seconddirection; and a plurality of common electrodes arranged at a ratio ofone to a plurality of pixel electrodes, wherein each of the plurality ofsensor electrode lines overlaps with a corresponding one of theplurality of data signal lines in a plan view, wherein each of theplurality of sensor electrode lines overlaps with a corresponding atleast one of the plurality of common electrodes in the plan view, afirst insulating film which is formed on the glass substrate and coversthe plurality of gate signal lines, wherein the plurality of data signallines are formed on the first insulating film, a second insulating filmwhich is formed to cover the plurality of data signal lines, wherein theplurality of sensor electrode lines are formed on the second insulatingfilm, a third insulating film which is formed to cover the plurality ofsensor electrode lines, and a through-hole which is formed through apart of the third insulating film, wherein the plurality of commonelectrodes are formed on the third insulating film, and one of theplurality of common electrodes is formed inside the through hole to beelectrically connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of sensorelectrode lines, a plurality of adhesion layers which are formed on thesecond insulating film, and wherein the plurality of sensor electrodelines is respectively formed on the plurality of adhesion layers.
 2. Theliquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the pluralityof pixel electrodes are disposed between the glass substrate and theplurality of common electrodes.
 3. The liquid crystal display panelaccording to claim 1, wherein a width of one of the plurality of theadhesion layers is wider than a width of the one of the plurality ofsensor electrode lines formed on the corresponding one of the pluralityof adhesion layers.
 4. The liquid crystal display panel according toclaim 1, wherein the plurality of common electrodes are arrayed at equalintervals in the first direction and the second direction.
 5. The liquidcrystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the plurality ofcommon electrodes are arranged so that a gap between two adjacentelectrodes of the plurality of common electrodes overlaps with a gapbetween adjacent pixels in the plan view.
 6. The liquid crystal displaypanel according to claim 1, wherein the display panel detects a touchposition by means of a self-capacitance method of a capacitive system.